"We specialize in hand food," he said. "Basically, we can put anything into a tortilla."

Specialties include Baja fish tacos, pescado tacos and roasted vegetable tacos along with appetizers and entrees such as enchiladas and fajitas.

Concannon has had a long career in the restaurant business starting in 1984 at Gordon restaurant in Chicago's River North neighborhood. His travels have led him to Hawaii, Europe, San Francisco and back to Chicago in 1990 when he joined Charlie Trotter's crew.

From there he moved on to Don Juan and eventually opened his first restaurant Fahrenheit in Chicago.

Along the way his path crossed with Laco Seeber, who is the chef at Mama Maria's and has a distinguished culinary resume as well.

As the name implies, Mama Maria's is not just about the food. The restaurant specializes in drinks made with tequila — there are 17 different kinds available — ranging from margaritas to mojitos. There's a variety of beers available including craft brews as well as sangria and other wines.

Mama Maria's can seat about 120 people with room for more than two dozen people at its bar.

"We have a really long bar," he said along with a banquette of seats that runs parallel to the bar.

Concannon hopes to add outdoor seating next summer.

Sports fans will feel right at home, Concannon said. There are five big screen TVs tuned to favorite sports games and teams.

Concannon is also a neighbor, he said, as he lives a block away from both restaurants.

Concannon said the restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Tuesday, from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Speedy Burritos has replaced Los 3 Burritos Express at 7108 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park. The restaurant had been a second Tinley location for Los 3 Burritos and is now owned by Andres Angel, whose brother owns Speedy Burrito at 9516 W. 179th St. in Tinley.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.